For Jayson Tatum, Finals that are just the beginning

Twice since the start of his career, in 2018 and 2020, he had reached the Eastern Conference finals with the Celtics. But he had never reached the supreme stage of an NBA season, the Finals.

So of course, for Jayson Tatumthe disappointment was as great as the excitement to play for the first time in his career at this stage of the season, when Stephen Curry and his gang, after a sixth and final round in this superb series, won a fourth title in eight seasons.

The days after were thus difficult to digest for the young Boston star, who appeared in difficulty during these Finals (21.5 points at 37% on shots, against 26.9 points at 45% on shots in the regular season), physically and emotionally exhausted after this failure so close to the Holy Grail.

” From a talent point of view, we were on the same level. But you could see that they had experience with this level of competition. We could see that they were in management, without ever panicking. Mentally they were stronger, and that’s the hardest part to accept » explained the 24-year-old three-time All-Star. ” Deuce (his son) gave me a hug and told me he was proud of me. My mother too, and I started crying. I felt like I let everyone down. And I kept telling them how exhausted I was, and I felt down. »

The lessons of the failure of the Finals, driving forces of his “MVPesque” season

So, “JT”, after the “mourning” of these lost Finals, went back to work. The objective: that this failure, which he largely considered personal in view of his level of play a bit disappointing during the series, be a bearer of lessons. And may these lessons lead to progress.

Particularly in the mind of the native of Missouri: the last two games of the series, when he missed his “money-time” in Game 5, before more largely missing out on his Game 6 (13 points at 6/ 18 on shots).

” I was exhausted. Mentally, physically. I put a lot of pressure on my shoulders “he adds, in reference to his two” airball “in the fourth quarter of Game 5. “ And I thought I was rested enough for Game 6, but I messed up, too. I had no legs, and heavy breath. »

Before thinking about the field, a first change was needed… in his kitchen. Like many of his colleagues in the league, Jayson Tatum has hired a personal chef.

” It was about keeping the same options, but making them healthier. In particular the proportions adapted for the weight that I want to keep to play he continued. ” I haven’t gone vegan, but if I eat breakfast, then the eggs are organic, the bacon is better, the orange juice is natural. All these little things that will ultimately make the difference during the season. »

Then there was the main course: the changes on the pitch. Or rather the improvements. When reuniting with his long-time partner Drew Hanlen, the personal trainer of many NBA stars (Bradley Beal and Joel Embiid, among others), for multiple workout summers, Jayson Tatum hasn’t drastically changed his game. He’s recalibrated it, according to Drew Hanlen’s observations.

” We had noticed that he was not attacking the circle with the wrong angles ” thus remarked Drew Hanlen, whose remarks were supported by the figures since Jayson Tatum completed the Finals with 34% success on shots in the racket, the lowest average for a player at this stage of the season on the last 25 years. ” He attacked in the direction of the opposing counters, not in the direction of the circle. We then defined three phases. The first was his posture, his hips had to be lower, so he had better balance. The second was the angle of attack, he had to get into the defender, not go around him. And finally, the third phase was to ensure that he took advantage of his physical qualities. For that, I committed a lot of faults on him, so that he prepares for it. »

Eyes (still) on the prize

One thing is in any case certain: almost six months after the failure of the Finals and the tears of exhaustion and disappointment that followed, Jayson Tatum is stronger than he has ever been. Shaped during the summer, this new version of himself takes him, after the quarter of the season, to the roof of the league. With his colossal averages of 30.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, the former Dukie is one of the favorites for the MVP trophy.

The sign of a player who, despite five straight playoff qualifications and three All-Star Game selections, at just 24 years old, is only just beginning his rise to the top.

” my mentality [après les Finals] changed. I know the feeling of being there now, and the way to get there he says in this regard. ” I no longer seek to prove that I am of the same level, or better, than such and such a player. Last year, when [en playoffs] it was me against KD [Kevin Durant]or me against Jimmy Butler, or against Giannis [Antetokounmpo], I wanted to show that I belonged to the same caste as them. This year, I’m comfortable with myself. I know who I am, I know my value. I know how hard I’ve worked this summer, and I won’t be satisfied until we return. [aux Finals]and will win this time. »